The Indian primary market is set to close 2024 on a high note, with at least ten companies preparing to raise an estimated ₹20,000 crore through Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) in December. According to industry experts, this surge in IPO activity highlights the market’s resilience and growing investor confidence across various sectors. Companies want to leverage the positive market sentiment to fund expansions, provide exits to existing shareholders, and meet critical business requirements like debt repayment and working capital needs.
The Key Players In The IPO Pipeline
Prominent names such as Vishal Mega Mart, International Gemological Institute (India) Ltd, and Avanse Financial Services are leading the IPO charge, with several others following suit. These offerings span retail, healthcare, diagnostics, financial services, and infrastructure. Here’s a breakdown of some of the major upcoming IPOs:
Vishal Mega Mart
- Size: ₹8,000 crore
- Structure: Entirely an Offer for Sale (OFS) by promoter Samayat Services LLP.
- Purpose: Provides an exit route for existing shareholders without fresh equity issuance.
International Gemological Institute (India) Ltd
- Size: ₹4,000 crore
- Structure: ₹1,250 crore as a fresh issue and ₹2,750 crore as an OFS by promoter BCP Asia II TopCo Pte Ltd, an affiliate of Blackstone.
- Purpose: Expand operations and provide liquidity to existing investors.
Avanse Financial Services
- Size: ₹3,500 crore
- Structure: ₹1,000 crore fresh issue and ₹2,500 crore OFS by Warburg Pincus-backed Olive Vine Investment Ltd.
- Purpose: Strengthen the capital base to support future growth in the education-focused NBFC segment.
Other notable IPOs include:
- Suraksha Diagnostic
- Mamata Machinery
- Transrail Lighting
These firms are tapping into the public market to address strategic objectives, from scaling operations to bolstering their financial health.
Challenges On The Horizon
Despite the optimism, market experts have flagged potential challenges. With over 30 IPOs expected in December, the sheer volume of public offerings could strain market liquidity. Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have been pulling out funds from Indian equities, driven by concerns over high valuations, muted corporate earnings, and attractive opportunities in other markets like China.
Saurabh Patwa, Head of Research at Quest Investment Advisors, noted that this influx of IPOs could test the market’s absorption capacity, especially if foreign investors divert funds to alternative markets. “Liquidity challenges are real, and the pressure on the domestic market will increase if global conditions remain unfavorable,” he added.
In October 2024 alone, FPIs withdrew ₹94,017 crore, marking the worst monthly outflow in recent years. While November has seen reduced net outflows of ₹26,533 crore so far, the sentiment remains cautious.
A Positive Outlook With Caution
Despite these challenges, the IPO market remains buoyant, fueled by strong domestic institutional support and retail participation. Sectors like IT and banking have shown resilience, with significant backing from domestic investors even as foreign funds retreat.
Looking forward, analysts predict that December’s IPOs will serve as a litmus test for the market’s capacity to absorb such a high volume of public issues. The performance of these offerings could set the tone for 2025 and reinforce India’s position as a global IPO hub.
With significant gains recorded over the past few years and strong market fundamentals, India’s IPO landscape remains attractive for both issuers and investors. As December unfolds, all eyes will be on how these IPOs perform and their implications for the broader equity market.
Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | X |
Youtube | Pinterest | Google News |
Entertales is on YouTube; click here to subscribe for the latest videos and updates.